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Demeter VTBP M 800D @ NAMM
- Thread starter Mark Sacchetti
- Start date
CrashClint
I Play Bass therefore I Am
I have a 201 1.5" rack space about the same age. Mine only has preamp and DI outputs so I am having James install a Tuner out. James was trying to convince me to add the power amp section, I told him I would trade him my Steward WT1.2 and he laughed. I said, "Hey, a man has got to try, lol". I did order another Roscoe/Demeter on-board preamp for one of my Roscoe basses.
Very cool indeed.
Yep, preamp format looks like the older style VTBP 201 1.5 rack space as opposed to the newer layout with the effects loop controls.
Chef
In Memoriam
I'm not an fx guy, so, not having the fx loop controls doesn't bother me.
I'm fine with an outboard tuner, so if it doesn't have tuner out, that doesn't bother me.
It would be nice to have the H series parametric eq, but I can live without it.
I hope it has the Jensen type DI.
I'm fine with an outboard tuner, so if it doesn't have tuner out, that doesn't bother me.
It would be nice to have the H series parametric eq, but I can live without it.
I hope it has the Jensen type DI.
Same here Chef.
I remember a review of the old VTBP201 1.5 space by Bass player magazine as part of a preamp shootout. They loved the fact that you got great tone from a simple layout. I ran that pre with a Crest CA4 - awesome!
I remember a review of the old VTBP201 1.5 space by Bass player magazine as part of a preamp shootout. They loved the fact that you got great tone from a simple layout. I ran that pre with a Crest CA4 - awesome!
+1 Looks very cool. I always thought that putting those great preamps into a more current 'non rack mount' format would open up a lot more sales for that company. Add the VERY impressive Minnie power section, and you have quite a little powerhouse there that should make the 'clean tube guys' VERY happy.
Really cool looking! If they hit that price point mentioned above, they will sell a lot of them.
Chef
In Memoriam
+1 KJung.
I've ditched my racks (I use a carry bag even for my IPR1600 power amp) and have gone to the smaller footprint stuff. I like this smaller non-rack format.
BurningSkies
CRAZY BALDHEAD
- Feb 20, 2005
- 27,956
- 20,348
- Disclosures
- Endorsing artist: Dingwall Guitars
Yep. It looks like this is James' implementation of what Jule did with the Monique/Minnie combination. Roughly the same size and a bit of the 'dove cage' influence showing in it too.
On not having a loop, I'm pretty sure if it sounds good enough people can handle not having one. My Kern does (I never used it) and the Monique doesn't and it seemed like an odd choice but people have kind of gotten over it.
So pardon my dumb question but is there a separate control for the output of the power section on the Demeter combined pre/power units, or does the preamp volume control both?
One control would probably be all you need since these units are all about clean headroom and not about overdriving the pre.
One control would probably be all you need since these units are all about clean headroom and not about overdriving the pre.
BurningSkies
CRAZY BALDHEAD
- Feb 20, 2005
- 27,956
- 20,348
- Disclosures
- Endorsing artist: Dingwall Guitars
Deja Vu from the Monique/Minnie discussion. 
I believe that James' philosophy is that he has the pre and power stages set for what he believes to be optimum levels rather than that extra user adjustable control.
I believe that James' philosophy is that he has the pre and power stages set for what he believes to be optimum levels rather than that extra user adjustable control.
Chef
In Memoriam
Part of only having one volume/gain control is that the Demeter sound philosophy is clean pure tone.
So, there's no need to input and master to drive the preamp tube to saturation as that's not their tone goal.
So, there's no need to input and master to drive the preamp tube to saturation as that's not their tone goal.
Makes sense.
I remember from my Demeter pre that the cleanliness of the pre did not change as you increased the volume. Stayed clean all the way.
I remember from my Demeter pre that the cleanliness of the pre did not change as you increased the volume. Stayed clean all the way.
+1 If I remember correctly, the 'volume' control on the Demeter pre's is basically an 'after everything' master. So, that would not impact 'tone', but rather the strength of signal sent to the power amp.
Again, if I remember correctly, the Demeter pre's have an internal trim pot that can be used to optimize the input level to the pre based on the output level of the bass in question if you have a particularly hot or particularly weak output bass.
Chef
In Memoriam
Via Premier Guitar:
"Demeter brought the new VTBP-M-800D head to NAMM. Based on the VTBP-201 used by bass legend Lee Sklar for many, many years, the 800D uses a 280v power supply, and 800-watt, class D amp, and full voiced preamp with input mode switch, bas and presence voicing toggles, DI and line outputs, and two Speakon speaker jacks. All in a 10.5 pound head with options starting at $1,359."
"Demeter brought the new VTBP-M-800D head to NAMM. Based on the VTBP-201 used by bass legend Lee Sklar for many, many years, the 800D uses a 280v power supply, and 800-watt, class D amp, and full voiced preamp with input mode switch, bas and presence voicing toggles, DI and line outputs, and two Speakon speaker jacks. All in a 10.5 pound head with options starting at $1,359."
Chef
In Memoriam
Yep.
At one point I was really interested in the Minnie because of the Demeter quality in that small form factor but at $999, it was a little out of my price range. $1359 for the pre/amp combination is very interesting!
At one point I was really interested in the Minnie because of the Demeter quality in that small form factor but at $999, it was a little out of my price range. $1359 for the pre/amp combination is very interesting!
